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Kohl’s creating green jobs in Connecticut?

Department store Kohl’s made a big announcement this summer that means green jobs in Connecticut. At least the stores are much greener, thanks to a new addition to the infrastructure.

The company recently announced will expand its solar program by nearly 25 percent in 2012, installing solar panels at approximately 30 additional Kohl’s locations.

Those locations include California, Connecticut and Maryland where Kohl’s already has a solar presence, additional sites will be located in new solar states for Kohl’s, including Massachusetts, New York and Ohio.

According to the company, the solar panels will supply 20 to 50 percent of each store’s energy.

The installations will be complete by the end of 2012.

Kohl’s launched its solar program in 2007 in California.

Kohl’s said it is one of the largest single hosts of solar electricity in North America and has more than 120 solar locations.

The company also continues to purchase renewable energy credits to offset the energy consumption of new stores and corporate locations and made a 2012 renewable energy purchase of more than 1.5 billion kWh.

“After adding 20 solar locations in 2011, we’re pleased to continue growing our solar program in 2012,” said John Worthington, Kohl’s chief administrative officer. “Not only do our solar locations provide an immediate cost savings to Kohl’s, they serve as examples of our environmental commitment in action. As a national retailer with more than 1,100 stores, we consistently challenge ourselves to find new ways to reduce the operational footprint of our facilities, to be more energy efficient, use fewer resources and be a good neighbor in the communities where we do business. It’s exciting when we are able to add solar panels to a store, because it becomes part of a shopper’s Kohl’s experience. Even if they can’t immediately see the solar panels on the roof – similar to how they might not see all of the characteristics that make a store ENERGY STAR-labeled or LEED-certified, they know Kohl’s is working to be a good environmental steward and to make responsible choices about how we operate our stores.”